Sprocket-chain.



J. M. SCHENK.

SPROCKET CHAIN. APPLICATION FILED MAR.3.1916.

Invanof',

.Toma M. SCHENK, or WATERLOO, Iowa.

Application i'led March 3, 1916. Serial No. 81,887'.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. SCHENK, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Waterloo, Blackhawk county, Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sprocket-Chains, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sprocket-chains, and the object of my improvement is to supply a chain capable of lateral flexibility for use on machinery where such a function is requisite. This object I have accomplished by the means which are hereinafter described and claimed, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan View of a portion of a sprocket-chain embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the connected elements thereof.

Similar numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

My improved sprocket-chain is intended for use on a sprocket-wheel supplied with a double row of teeth. Itis composed of interlinked elements, arranged to insure lateral flexibility to the chain.

2 is a rectangular block oriliced perpendicularly to the plane of the chainat B. This block has at opposite sides laterally projecting alined integral pins or pintles 1, transversely oriliced to receive split-keys 8.

5 and 6 denote like solid links, orificed at each end to position them movably on the pintles l, in spaced pairs at each side of the blocks 2. Anti-friction rollers 4 are mounted rotatably on the pintles 1 between each pair of links 5-6. Washers 7 are placed between the links 6 and the split-keys 8 on said pintles l.

A pair of blocks 2, connected as described above forms one section of the chain, and a plurality of such sections are employed to compose the chain.

of the same form as the links 5 and 6, are placed in contacting registering pairs above and belowA each adjacent pair of blocks 2 in each section, with their end orifices alined with the orifices 3 in the blocks. Rivets or pintles 10 passed through these orifices, are used to secure the links 9-11 to the blocks 2, the blocks being adapted to rock laterally on said rivets. In-

Links 9 and 11 Specification of Letters Patent.

ratentea nee., as', raie.

stead of pairs of links 9-11, one link may be used on each side of a block 2, if desired.

When mounted over sprocket-wheels, having double rows of teeth working in the interspaces between certain of the rollers 4, the chain has a very secure engagement with the teeth and works with a minimum of friction. When the sprocket-wheels form part of some mechanism, such as that of a tractor, where there is a considerable amount -of play, the chain can give or swing laterally to prevent binding, by the lateral rocking of the links 9-11 on the rivets or pintles 10.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A sprocket-chain, comprising a plurality of sections linked together to rock laterally relatively'to each other, each section composed of bodies linked together, said sections having transversely separated toothengaging sockets adapted to receive laterally-spaced teeth on a sprocket-wheel.

2. A sprocket-chain, comprising a plurality of sections linked together to rock in different angular directions, each section comprising pairs of connected transverse bodies, said bodies linked together to provide transversely-separated tooth-engaging closed end spaces therebetween, and anti-fraction rollers mounted rotatably on said bodies at opposite sides of said spaces to engage a double row of sprocket-teeth.

A sprocket-chain, comprising a plurality of sections linked together to rock in different angular directions, each section comprising a pair of pivotally connected central blocks having oppositely-directed lateral pintles, and anti-friction rollers rotatably mounted on said pintles, said pintles and rollers positioned to furnish laterally separated tooth-engaging sockets, and links pivotally connected between adjacent blocks of adjacent sections adapted to permit lateral play of the sections relative to each other.

A sprocket-chain, comprising a plurality of sections linked together to 'rock in different angular directions, each section comprising a pair of central blocks having oppositely-directed lateral pintles, a link pivotally connecting said pintles on each side of said blocks, anti-friction rollers pintles outside of said rollers, and securingmeans on said pintles to retain said links and rollers thereon, each of said blocks having an orifice through it perpendicular to its plane of movement, pintles mounted rotatably in said orifices and projecting therefrom, and links pivotally connectin each end of lsaid pintles of one section to t e corresponding end of a' pintle in an adjacent section, to permit of lateral play of the sections relative to each other.

Signed at Waterloo, Iowa, this 25th day of Gr. C. KENNEDY. 

